Twenty-two years ago late in the night, the Lord brought this little dude into my life. That was back before he had freckles. I'll never forget eating Texas-shaped macaroni and cheese for dinner that night, nor will I ever forget the She-ra Princess of Power doll my grandmother bought me while my mother (who wouldn't let me have one since they were boy toys) was in the hospital. By the way, I think that was the summer of jellies.

Saying we have a lot of shared memories is an understatement of course. One in particular for me is when I used to use him as a pillow because he hadn't yet mastered crawling. I like to think I helped accelerate his development for those baby milestones. (He more than made up for that, when I think back to the sick-in-the-camper event.) I'll also never forget our crazy trip to Orlando and a $70 cab ride. What was I thinking?

But, he's all grown up now and about to embark on a new adventure up the road in Denton (closer than ever and I'm excited!) I couldn't ask for a better brother and friend, and I'm very thankful for this day!

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Tonight we headed to Joe T's to celebrate Drew's birthday (it's tomorrow). This time last year he was helping us move into our house. Perhaps we should begin paying him a wage since he is around so often to help with the manual labor.

Keep dreaming, Drewdy.

Anyway, we are so full! We came home after chips, salsa, and fajitas to celebrate him a little more with a cake from Cold Stone Creamery. Holy Moly. It was good. And now, Drew is ready to line up for the launch of the nextgen iPhone. T-minus 11 days and 4 hours. But really, who's counting?

Thursday, June 26, 2008

This past weekend my college roommate Alisia and I travelled to Boone, NC to visit with our other college roommate, Amanda. She's interning at Appalachian State University (the ones that beat Michigan last year in football) at their student counseling center and living about a mile off of the Blue Ridge Parkway in the beautiful high country of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's a little cabin in the woods, and it's just precious.

After an early morning flight into Charlotte, NC, she picked us up for the 2 hour drive to Boone. We followed the winding road and marveled at the amazing vistas and furniture stores. Next time we will drive or rent a u-haul. Prepare yourself, B-Dub. And we passed a ton of Christmas tree farms.

Saturday we went to Mayberry, a fulfillment of the dreams of one. We also had a Victoria Beckham sighting. Who knew she went red?

Question: What happens when a pharmacist, a psychologist, and a software engineer walk into Biltmore?

Answer: An unsuspecting tourist is stalked and asked to take a photograph of people he doesn't know.

At the Fancy McDonald's.

We had a ton of laughs on our road trips and enjoyed a custom 2 cd mix tape with diverse selections such as Kermit the Frog's 'Rainbow Connection,' Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive,' and Pink's 'Get the Party Started.' I think we had a specific memory tied to each song on the cd, which I guess makes sense when you live with the same FUN and FABULOUS people for 4 years!

After a flight home in which I think we hit every bump between Charlotte and DFW, I am hoping by today Alisia has regained full use of her right arm. I only grabbed it a couple of times and cried for my mom once.

Monday, June 23, 2008

I am sitting in the Charlotte airport with Alisia after an extended weekend trip to see our college roommate Amanda in Boone, NC. Our flight has been delayed so we're watching a bird fly around the gate while listening to the gate agent page people with names like Mary Helen and the Schmidmeyers. Sounds like a folk group from the 60s if you ask me.

Anyway, we had a fabulous time, and hopefully I convinced these lovely ladies to start BLOGS so we can keep up with one another better. Actually, Amanda, we have already signed Alisia up so she is throwing down a challenge to you!!! Dr. Newlywed, PhD!!!

Monday, June 16, 2008

Last night the family went to a Doobie Brothers and Chicago concert at the Superpages.com Center (which will forever in my mind be known as the Coca-Cola Starplex, for the record.) It was SO. MUCH. FUN! I think it was my favorite Father's Day ever. I hope my dad liked it too.

We tailgated before the concert. Everyone stayed healthy.

As with any public gathering, there was an interesting dichotomy of fans there. It made for good people watching. What intrigues me the most are the couples where the woman will stand up and dance solo while the man sits and pretends not to know her. I wonder, "is that me in 15 years?"

The Doobies played their hits, of course. I had a hard time not busting into the dc talk rap during 'Jesus is Just Alright' (like a mother to a child, i'm kickin' it Jesus style). 'China Grove', 'Listen to the Music', 'Takin' it to the Streets', 'Rockin' Down the Highway,' and more that I can't remember right now.

And then, one of my faves--Chicago. The second cd my family ever owned was Chicago If You Leave Me Now. (The first cd was James Taylor's Greatest Hits. That is how we roll.)

They played most of my favorites. No doubt the best one was 'You're the Inspiration.' 'Saturday in the Park' and 'Look Away' are some others off the top of my head. They closed with '25 or 6 to 4' which is a great song no matter what Drew says, and the Doobie Bros. came out and played it with them.

It was a fantastic night to sit outside for a concert. Good times, family!

Monday, June 9, 2008

This weekend was slow paced and wonderful. Friday evening we took advantage of our back porch after a stop by the snowcone stand around the corner. We have a lovely view from the back of our home, and by around 7, the temperature is perfect.

We found that our little birdy babies living in our wreath are all grown up. By late that night they had flown to another spot to roost, and by Saturday morning, they had completelyabandoned their little nursery. Bye bye little wrens!

The rest of the weekend was spent doing normal things: a baby shower, a going away lunch for friends, going to the rec, and meeting new neighbors. Our neighborhood is bursting with new people.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

We are home and recovering from a big family weekend. I love big family weekends.

Friday we saw my cousin T graduate, had a big fajita dinner, and cake from Lone Star Bakery. YUM. I'm so excited for him! College is SO FUN.

It was Canton weekend, so of course that's where I was Saturday. (Brad golfed--imagine that.) And it was hot, but not quite as crowded as usual, so that was a bonus. Did I mention it was hot?!? I got some fun things for summer and had a lovely time with my mom, aunts, and Grannie. Oh I wish I could share some of the funny things said this weekend by Grannie. She kills me! It was along the lines of her comments at one of my wedding showers about what flip flops were called back in the day.

Sunday, the cemetery association (where my maternal grandfather's ancestors are buried) met for something like the 72nd annual meeting. It's a small farming community cemetery, and we convene the first weekend in June for a business meeting and lunch on the grounds. Yes, you read that right. We meet at the cemetery to discuss business and eat lunch.

(Apparently this is a small town thing. Until I was about 20, I thought everyone met once at year at the cemetery to discuss business.)

Anyway, after lunch, my cousins, Brad, and I walked through the cemetery with my Pop and he told us about our relatives buried there. My great grandparents and both sets of my great-great-grandparents are buried there too, along with all their kids. I've never been really "into" genealogy, but I have to say, this piqued my interest. One thing I found particularly interesting is that our family land came from an original land grant given to a man who fought in the Texas War for Independence.